On September 12, 1910, an American woman named Alice Stebbins Wells was sworn in to the Los Angeles Police Department as the first female police officer.

Before she was hired, Wells had to petition the mayor, police commissioner, and the city council of Los Angeles. She was an advocate for female police officers worldwide, particularly spreading her message throughout North America. In 1915, she founded the International Policewomen’s Association, paving the way for female police officers everywhere.

Originally thought to be the first ever, it was uncovered that an Irishwoman named Marie Owens served as a member of the Chicago Police Force starting in 1891.

Ever wish you could spend the whole day playing video games? Ok, so maybe you already do, but today is the one day of the year you have an excuse…It’s National Video Games Day! (And actually, you get two days each year – July 8 is Video Game Day.)

If you have the day off from work or school, spend the day playing video games, whether alone or with friends, online or with a game console, at home or at the arcade, even on your phone! If you have to go to school or work today, we won’t judge you if you take the day off to play video games…Just kidding – we’ll judge you a little.

If you’re playing video games with other players, make sure you practice proper gaming etiquette.

Did youknow…According to the Entertainment Software Association’s (ESA) 2012 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry, “The average gamer is 30 years old and has been playing for 12 years. Sixty-eight percent of gamers are 18 years of age or older.” Find out more interesting facts at the ESA’s website.